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Committee advances bill to expand agricultural enforcement program statewide
Summary
Committee supported making an agricultural enforcement pilot permanent and statewide (SB 2798); Department of Agriculture and farming organizations urged funding and recognized early pilot success including an ag tip line and targeted enforcement.
The committee took testimony on Senate Bill 2798, SD1, HD1, which renames and expands the agricultural enforcement pilot program established under Act 235 (Session Laws of Hawaii 2025) and would make it a permanent statewide program.
Riley Hill of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity said the program addresses crimes on farms and would be helpful to farmers facing theft, vandalism and trespass. Nicole Galassi of the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council and Brian Miyamoto of the Hawaii Farm Bureau urged permanence and full funding, noting the pilot’s early work with Department of Law Enforcement, use of an ag tip line, outreach to ranches, and limited drone assistance for investigations.
Miyamoto said agriculture crime imposes significant losses on producers and asked the committee to ensure the statewide program receives the resources it needs. Committee members asked follow‑up questions about coordination with county police, DOCARE and the Department of Law Enforcement; testimony described active coordination and the need for adequate funding to cover islandwide operations.
Chair David Tarnas recommended moving SB 2798 out of committee as is; the committee adopted the recommendation by voice vote.
